Discover Western Prince William
November 2024
9
The City of Manassas is transforming
the former 20-acre Marsteller School
property on Sudley Road, purchased
from Manassas Baptist Church in July
for $9.9 million, into an expansive
community destination featuring a
park, community center, athletic fields,
and a new fire and rescue station. Not
only will Marsteller Park be the city's
21st public park, it will also be the first
to host a community center and
recreation facility--a major first for
Manassas residents.
The city is now inviting residents to
help bring this vision to life through a
"Community Conversations" meeting
on Tuesday, November 12. This event
aims to give the community a voice
in shaping Marsteller Park's amenities
and priorities.
"It's an exciting first for the city," says
Matt Arcieri, assistant city manager
and director of planning and
community development. "We're
looking forward to opening the doors
for the first time since acquiring the
property and hearing from the
community about what they envision."
The evening begins with an open
house and self-guided tour of the
building's interior at 5:30 p.m., offering
residents a glimpse into the future
park and community center spaces.
At 6:30 a bilingual presentation in
English and Spanish will summarize
feedback collected so far and outline
some of the proposed ideas, ranging
from traffic concerns to requests for
more community meeting spaces and
recreational facilities.
For parents attending the meeting,
the City will provide onsite childcare
during the breakout sessions that start
at 6:50. These small group discussions
will dive into specific goals and ideas,
with one session facilitated in Spanish.
Refreshments and children's activities
will be available throughout the
evening, making it an event for the
whole family.
Those who can't attend the November
12 meeting can still make their voices
heard through an online survey
available on the city's website,
ensuring all community members
have an opportunity to contribute to
this project.
Ongoing construction includes
upgrades to the property's interiors
and exteriors for city staff, the
addition of three athletic fields, and
enhancements to the track. The city
plans to start renting the fields to
leagues and groups in March, while
work on a new pedestrian pathway
connecting the park to Peabody
Street and the Haydon Elementary
School neighbor hood is also
underway. To learn more about
M ar steller Par k 's f uture and
participate in the survey, visit
manassasva.gov/marsteller.
Have a Say
in Marsteller Park's Future
Former 20-acre Marsteller School property
~ Kristy Gillespie
By 2.5 miles of light displays at Northern
Virginia's largest drive-through holiday
lights experience.
Bull Run Regional Park
Centreville, VA
OPEN NOV. 15, 2024
TO JAN. 5, 2025